Back in the USA

So its been awhile since my last post -- which transpired while still in China; not for lack of trying, but I've been playing catch-up on a lot of matters left untended during my absence.

One activity which I hadn't had much of an opportunity to engage in, getting back up on my Bike; the original spark for this Blog!

So I took the Rockhopper out for a spin along the Lakefront, and noticed a wobbly rear wheel. After some initial examination and troubleshooting of my own, I realized that I was beyond my immediate depth both in my skillset and toolkit; so I wheeled on over to Uptown Bikes (UB) for another opinion.

The fine technicians at UB recognized a distinct manufacturing defect in the Vittoria Randonneur Tire installed during my original rehab of the Bike in early Summer.

The suspect tread was quickly changed out and I was again on my way, but not before I snapped this shot of Uptown Bikes' storefront just below the Wilson Avenue El stop.

I can't say enough about Uptown Bikes and the no attitude courtesy with which they conduct their business. While still thought of as the *Go-to* Guys and Gals for Bike repairs on the Northside, they also have a fine selection of both Raleigh and KHS Bicycles.
And, as evidenced again today, their support after the sale is seamless and without friction. Kudos again to Uptown Bikes!

Subterranean Subtext

Preamble: I know this Blog is ostensibly about Biking, but with the platform available to me, I occassionally riff on other matters as well.

Now that the Olympic bid is a fading memory, maybe Hizzoner Da' Mayor can now retune and refocus on issues which could have a much more important and resonant impact on the legacy he seeks to impart on the City of Chicago.

As I detailed some time ago in my other Blog -- "Back in the PRC" --, when Mayor Daley visited Beijing during the opening of the 2008 Olympics, one of his first orders of business was to ride Beijing's newly built-out Subway system; a bright and shiny example of what a mass transit rail system can aspire to be.

Beijing hasn't rested on its laurels either, as this preview of the newly opened "Line 4" shows. A follow-up report is also included here; as well as my own entries from the brief ride I myself took on Line 4 yesterday.


Beijing subway line 4 to open Friday CCTV-International


Subway line four begins service CCTV-International

Hedging Their Bets?

This wasn't on my Radar Screen until now, but seems that Tokyo and Rio aren't just content making a play for the 2016 Summer Games; as China Daily reports , Beijing has made its own pitch to host the 2015 Athletics World Championships. Should Chicago enter the fray; or are the Japanese and Brazilian cities' own interest in "Athletics Worlds" a sign that they might harbor doubts as to the relative strength of their respective bids for the 2016 Olympics?

Breaking Away

It might appear to the occasional reader, that there is no one unifying theme or thesis to this Blog; this could not be further from the truth. As this publication has evolved, I have tried to lay the foundation for my thoughts; my philosophical bent if you will. Much of the discussion thus far has focused on my recent bicycling experiences in Chicago, as well as the pending award of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games; of which Chicago is a Candidate City.

The unifying aspect of Bicycling and the Games is one that can initially be viewed from the following perspective: In the United States, and in this case Chicago as well, riding a Bicycle can be undertaken for a variety of reasons: recreation; competition; and utility. In the latter case, many people have increasingly taken to bicycling due to the economic incentive; others because of the environmental imperative. This particular demographic of Bicycle end-user might very well overlap and essentially be classified as one distinct segment of the population at large. The other classes of riders, competitive and recreational, can probably be viewed in a similarly unified manner, riders by choice; not by necessity.

Regardless of what motivates them however, the American perspective on riding is again largely derived from choice, and not so much by culture. The variety of makes and models now available to the American Bicycle buying public affords much latitude in deciding upon how one rolls; oftentimes, a rider's choice being one driven by fashion; function following form, as it were.

Ultimately, what motivates what one rides, and how they ride, can be viewed with less critical concern, as long as they are riding to begin with. The infusion of Olympic culture, I believe, motivates people to engage in healthy lifestyles; and to make choices in recreation and exercise that might not have been so immediate and prevalent, absent an Olympic awareness. This is one significant takeaway which I believe Chicago will glean, win or lose in its bid to host the 2016 Games; that sport, be it for competition or exercise, is good; it motivates and engages, it rejuvenates and rehumanizes.

City Hall peddles $40-mil. bike path

Crain's Chicago Business

Seems the City of Chicago and I were on the same virtual mental wetpath when I first discussed initiatives for Bicycle commuting and transportion here in this Blog.

Time Out of Mind

Was riding around the Northside the other day; funny the things you see sometimes...

The Road Ahead

Mayor Daley is increasingly portraying himself as a "Green" Mayor, part of building that cred might be drawn from his reputation as an avid participant and supporter of cycling. Given his enthusiasm for the recreational aspects of cycling, combined with the tremendous effort he has put into winning the 2016 Olympics for Chicago, I hope that he can recognize the synergies between the two. After seeing the way cyclists are still given a wide berth in Beijing, I hope Daley will further strengthen and improve initiatives for safer cycling in Chicago; there is always continued room for improvement.